M.L. Lacy is the author of the Chrysalis Series (The Awakening, Tribulations, and Trepidation) and the upcoming Starburst Series.
M.L. Lacy was awarded first place in the Rebecca's Read's 2010 Written Art Award for her book The Awakening in the Fiction: Science Fiction/Fantasy category.
M.L. Lacy is married and lives in far north Fort Worth, Texas.
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Time Spent
While Waiting on Edits

I remember as a child going back to
school after summer vacation and writing an essay on how I spent my summer.
While my family didn’t take vacation trips, I still had my adventures. Today’s
blog is akin to that: How I spent my time while waiting on my edits to Book 5
for my Chrysalis series—Chrysalis the Gathering.

Recently, I was given a fantastic gift. I
have worked full time all my life and have had to squeeze my projects in as I
could, as family life took precedent, and writing was not a priority. It took
me what seemed an eternity to write one book. I was never able to write during
my lunch hour. I know many of my author friends do, but I always had the
problem of getting my head back into my story, only to stop forty-five minutes
later to go back to work. It took more time later having to reread my lunch
time writes, and then rewriting them. My writing time became late at night on
Friday and Saturday when I would spend time toiling away in my battery-candle
lit writing room until my eyes couldn’t focus. But now, after leaving the world of full time employment —I have time.

I dove into a story I had stashed away
for some time: Starburst – Enlightenment. I completed the first book long ago.
An on-line publishing company accepted my manuscript, but the owner became ill,
and the company closed before the book went into publication. Having it
completely edited at their cost and back in my hands, I tucked it away as I was
knee deep into the Chrysalis series. I had Firstborn Destinies in the pipeline,
and I was still working full time. Even though I had an organized family life,
I was still busy with things to do and people to visit. I couldn’t devote any
spare time to starting the next book in Starburst.

So now, with time on my hands and while
waiting for the 5th book edits from my editor, and letting my mind
relax before jumping into the 6th and perhaps the final book in the
Chrysalis series, I pulled Starburst out and started rereading. It was good, I
still enjoyed it, however, (and with me there is always a however) as I read, I
began changing things. Hindsight—I shouldn’t have done that. I should have kept
to the storyline—now I have an entirely different story—unfinished, of course,
but moving forward. I’ve dabbled into the second book of Firstborn. Working on
two series at one time is a new challenge for me. We shall see how it goes.

I began crocheting again and found it
much easier to let my mind focus on the plots to my story and thought of new
ones I could now write without worrying about work deadlines, spreadsheets, and
meeting notes transcribing or whatever else the next day at work would bring.

I rediscovered my love for cooking—I didn’t
have to rush to get a quick and easy meal on the table. I can take my time in
preparation and make meals as I used to make before life became too fast and
furious. I’ve begun sorting through my old recipes books, and I’m creating my
own. I’ve gone old school on that project. No computer files or jpg graphics,
just a journal and pictures taped to pages of tried recipes from my mother, my
husband’s grandmother, and from friends, or my concoctions. (one never knows
when an apocalypse may hit and not having any electricity to use my computer or
iPad, I’d be left to remember those fantastic recipes) I’ve included craft
projects into the journal, some I’ve done, others are what I want to do. And I’ve
started painting again.

Today, as I sit at my desk, I decided to
complicate my writing even more. The weather has turned cooler here in Texas,
my outside summer chores are done, which affords me more time. So, until all
the leaves have fallen from the trees and my winter outside chores commence
that’s what I will be doing—writing.

Chrysalis gnawed at me this morning.
While I am still prodding along with Firstborn and Starburst, I can announce I have
started on the 6th and possibly the last book in the series. We
shall see.

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Reviews

Trepidation Reviews:

Book Reader's Heaven says: Into Fantasy? You may have missed this in the past...but I highly recommend you take a look at this series. I especially enjoyed this third book. It was a lot of fun watching the chosen one finally take a stand against everybody, including all of her male protectors and guards! And when her other sister chosen ones come into the act, it sets the time for both male and females to fight the battles that must be fought! ... I'm already wondering what is going to happen next! (read more)

The Awakening Reviews:

RebeccasReads says: "Chrysalis - The Awakening by M.L. Lacy is one of the best novels I have read in quite a while"...(read more)

Quill says: "Fantasy lovers who enjoy stories that offer depth, intrigue, and adventures that move between our world and an imaginative magical world, should check out this series"...(read more)

Bookreviewers says: "If you love fantasy, then you will indeed enjoy Chrysalis - The Awakening by M.L. Lacy"...(read more) ReaderViews says: "M.L. Lacy has written a powerful fantasy novel with Chrysalis - The Awakening"...(read more)